Author: Phillip Van Nostrand

Shooting Multiple Exposure on the 5D Mark III JESSE (QUESTION): How do you shoot multiple exposure on the Canon 5D Mark III? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): 1) On a Canon 5D Mark III, press the button on the left with square and a paintbrush inside it, go to Multiple Exposure Mode, set it to On: ContShtng, […]

Interior Photography SHANNON (QUESTION): Hi rockstar! I recently accepted a job doing interior photography. I will be photographing kitchens for a local cabinet maker. As I mainly photograph people (and mostly outdoors), I wanted to see if you have any tips for interior photography. I will probably be using my 17-55mm 2.8 lens as my other lenses […]

Fisheye Lens BRIAN (QUESTION): Hey Phillip, My name is Brian and I am the Curly photographer from Minnesota!! Love your work and energy! What kind of Fisheye lens do you use? I love the 3000 dollar trick and this sounds like a blast. Cheers! PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): Hey Brian! How are you? Nice to […]

Time Management KRISTEN (QUESTION): Hi Phil! I have a question, regarding time management. My annoying tendency is if I say we are shooting for a half hour we end up doing close to a full hour anyways. How do you stay strict with the time limits you have set, without seeming like a jerk when you have […]

Depth of Field JEFFREY (QUESTION): In this image, how did you get the shallow depth of field between the face and the rest of the body? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): Jeffrey, I shot this photo (above) at an aperture of f/2.5, which is a really shallow depth of field (especially on a 135mm lens like I […]

Upgrading Your Camera JOHNNY (QUESTION): Alright, question time. If I were going to start saving for a new camera that would be more on the professional end, what would you recommend for upgrading your camera? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (RESPONSE): What do you have now? JOHNNY (RESPONSE): Nikon D80. I was thinking about switching to Canon. I know the […]

The Camera Toss ADRIENNE (QUESTION): How do you do this camera toss?! What if you drop your camera?! PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): Adrienne, I never drop my camera. That’s why it’s called the $3000 trick! And to accomplish the camera toss, you need to do a few things: 1) Own a full frame camera with a fisheye lens (you can find […]

Shooting with a 50mm Lens AMY (QUESTION): I got a nice canon 50mm for Christmas and it takes great shots. What I don’t like is I’m not able to take shots up close because there’s no zoom. So backing up so far from my subject (at a cafe) for example is tricky. Any tips? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND […]

Branding Yourself MAYRA (QUESTION): My mentor said to find a style, I have to find a brand! What do you think about that? PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND (ANSWER): I have some thoughts about that, and I kind of disagree. It’s like telling Brad Pitt in his first year of acting that he has to know what […]

How to be the best Second Photographer Katie (QUESTION): Phil, I have my first second photographer job at a Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding this Friday! Have any advice on being a top notch 2nd shooter? Phillip Van Nostrand (ANSWER): AWESOME! Yes I do have some tips: 1) Remind them to sync camera times with you at the […]